What other biblical instances show God providing signs to confirm His promises? Setting the Scene: Hezekiah’s Request for a Sign (2 Kings 20:8) “‘What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me…?’” (2 Kings 20:8). From this starting point, Scripture invites us to trace a beautiful thread: God graciously confirms His word with visible, tangible signs. Early Genesis—Global Promises, Global Signs • Rainbow after the flood (Genesis 9:12-17) “‘I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.’” – Promise: Never again will a flood destroy all flesh. – Sign: Every rainbow still reminds humanity of God’s enduring faithfulness. • Abram’s covenant vision (Genesis 15:8-18) Abram asked, “ ‘O Lord GOD, how can I know…?’ ” God answered with a smoking firepot and blazing torch passing between the pieces, sealing the promise of land and descendants. • Circumcision (Genesis 17:10-11) “This is My covenant with you… every male among you must be circumcised.” – Promise: Abraham’s offspring would become a great nation. – Sign: A physical mark in every generation. Exodus—Nation-Shaping Signs • Moses’ staff and leprous hand (Exodus 4:1-9) Two immediate signs convinced Israel’s elders that God had truly sent Moses. • Passover blood (Exodus 12:13) “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” – Promise: Protection from the destroyer. – Sign: Lamb’s blood painted on doorframes. • Pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22) Constantly visible proof that God led and guarded His people. Conquest and Judges—Assurance in Battle • Jordan River parted (Joshua 3:7-17) As soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, it “stood up in a heap.” – Promise: “I will exalt you in the sight of all Israel.” – Sign: Dry ground for an entire nation. • Gideon’s fleece (Judges 6:36-40) Two opposite‐direction miracles (wet fleece/dry ground, then dry fleece/wet ground) calmed Gideon’s fears. Monarchy and Prophets—Signs for Kings and Nations • Jonathan and his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 14:8-15) Their chosen signal—Philistine response—confirmed God’s promise of victory. • Fire from heaven on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-39) Instant consuming fire validated Elijah’s message and God’s supremacy over Baal. • Virgin conception prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign…” Ultimately fulfilled in Christ, proving God’s promise of the Messiah. • Shadow on the stairway (2 Kings 20:9-11) Hezekiah’s specific sign: the sun’s shadow moved backward ten steps, a direct, observable miracle. The Gospels—Supreme Signs in Jesus • Water into wine (John 2:11) “Jesus performed this, the first of His signs… and His disciples believed in Him.” • Feeding five thousand (John 6:14) People exclaimed, “This is truly the Prophet.” • Raising Lazarus (John 11:38-44) A powerful pointer to Jesus as “the resurrection and the life.” • The resurrection of Christ (Matthew 12:39-40; Romans 1:4) The ultimate sign validating every promise of redemption. Acts and the Early Church—Ongoing Confirmation • Pentecost tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-4) Fulfilled Joel 2:28-32 and authenticated the Spirit’s arrival. • Signs and wonders by the apostles (Acts 5:12) “More than ever believers were added to the Lord.” Promises of gospel expansion proved true. Why These Signs Matter Today • They underscore God’s character—He is truthful, gracious, and patient with human doubt. • They point ahead to Christ, the fullest revelation and assurance of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). • They invite us to trust Scripture’s written testimony even when no new sign appears (John 20:29-31). God’s pattern has never changed: when He speaks, He confirms, and when He confirms, He expects faith. |
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